Brechin Youth Project at The Attic

Attic wins Community Ambassador Award

The Attic is delighted to announce that it has won the 2009 Community Ambassador Award at the annual Angus Ambassador Awards held in the Carnoustie Golf Hotel on Friday 27th November.

The award reflects the work of the Attic within the community and for its promotion and support to similar youth facilities within the Angus area.  As a follow up to the Queens Award for Voluntary Service scooped in the Summer, it certainly is a fitting end to a very rewarding year for the Attic.

Jim (Peem) Milne, who picked up the award commented "It is fantastic for the team of workers and volunteers of the Attic to be recognised in this way by the community of Angus".

The Angus Ambassador Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and ambition of the county - its businesses, its vibrant communities and its aspiring young people.  Read more

 

Attic given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service has been awarded to the Attic recognising the excellent effort of the many volunteers who make the Attic a success.  This is the highest award bestowed on voluntary groups in Britain and the Attic are one of eleven recognised in Scotland this year.  The award is given each year in recognition of outstanding achievements by groups who give up their own time to enhance and improve the quality of life and opportunity for individuals in the community.  In the Attic's case; to provide a safe alcohol and drug-free drop in facility for youths aged 12 upwards in the Brechin community. 

The award will be formally presented to the Attic by Georgiana Osborne, Lord Lieutenant of Angus on 23rd June.

Further information on the award can be found at www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk

Attic youths play a storm in Arbroath

The Attic under 16's team gave OB's in Arbroath a run for their money in pretty windy conditions last Thursday night but were unable to win the match with a 6 all draw.  Pictured below are the team who took part. 

  

  

Summer Programme at the Attic

A number of events and trips are being organised by Youth Workers to make things a bit more fun for Attic members through the summer holiday weeks.  Many of these, weather permitting, will be held outdoors and will include Sumo inflatables, football and team sports and trips bowling and to the cinema.  Posters have been put up in the Attic with dates and details will be available nearer the time along with consent forms to be taken home to parents.  Roll on the Summer!

Zumba comes to the Attic

The Attic is looking forward to hosting a dance based fitness class on Friday night (17th April).  Zumba is a mix of Latin and international music with steps inspired by salsa, samba and merengue dancing.  Our host, Brechin girl Veronica Scott will introduce our youths to the latest craze which is already huge the US.  For more information, visit http://www.zumbafitness.co.uk/  Those interested should put their names down at the coffee bar.

Youths take part in Community Fire Safety Initiative

A group of Attic youngsters have recently completed a programme run by Tayside Fire and Rescue at the local Brechin fire station.  The object of the programme was to engage young persons in a practical and innovative way so that they may have a realistic understanding of the dangers associated with Fire, Road traffic accidents etc, within the community.  It also gave the youngsters an understanding of teamwork within a disciplined service.

Those who took part and received certificates were:

Amay Smith, Kevin Joiner, David Will, Adam Renilson, Cari Leslie, Leah Hanton, Chloe Wilson and Callum Wilson.

Pancakes and Politics

The Attic recently welcomed a visit from Alberto Costa, Conservative Candidate for Angus.  This followed an earlier walkabout Brechin town centre in support of the Help our High Street campaign.

Some of the young volunteers at the Attic pictured with Alberto Costa (back row right). 

Mr Costa wasn't tempted by one of the pancakes on offer as the members enjoyed celebrating Shrove Tuesday.  Most popular pancake filling of the evening? Nutella.

 
An Attic member perfects his pancake flipping skills.

Attic directors recognised in Volunteer Awards ceremony

Two well known and respected figures and founding members of the Attic have been praised for their (entirely voluntary) commitment to the project with a Volunteer Award.  Margaret (Meg) and Jim (Peem) Milne were nominated in the category Volunteering for a Safer and Stronger Angus and were delighted to pick up the award at a special ceremony held in December in Arbroath.  The event was organised by the Volunteer Centre Angus and was attended by more than 200 people. 

A New Year at the Attic

Happy New Year to all our members, workers, volunteers and supporters!

Our Health drop-in sessions continue from tonight - 8th January, and fortnightly on Thursday evenings. We'd like to give a warm welcome to Leona our new Health Worker. Outwith these sessions, please remember that you can get confidential advice from a qualified health professional via the Cool 2 Talk website - see link on our sidebar.

2009 promised to be an eventful year for the Attic with a number of youths participating in the Young Firefighters scheme. We are also planning more alcohol, drug awareness and road safety workshops. It's not all serious though, there will be a lot of fun stuff thrown in too!

As always, we would welcome any ideas on workshops or events from our members. Our Annual General Meeting is being held on Wednesday 4th February and it would be great to have some input from the wider Brechin community - it's also a good opportunity for parents to see what we're all about.

Cinema Trip

A trip to the pictures in Dundee is being organised for Wednesday 17th December. Places on the minibus are limited so put your name down soon to avoid disappointment. Leaving the Attic at 6pm and returning at 10.30pm. Film listings are yet to be released - watch this space.